15th Western Delta University Convocation: Over 190 graduands, 12 best students receive various awards
“”As Institution honour General Dambazau and Adebayo with Honorary Doctoral Degrees
By: Celestine UkahÂ
Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, in its 15th Convocation ceremony, has convocated over 190 graduands and awarded 12 best students with different motivational awards and prizes.
The convocation ceremony, which was held on Saturday, November 15, witnessed the awarding of prizes to three first-class graduands from different colleges of the University as approved by the Chancellor, Senate, and the governing Council.
Vice Chancellor of Western Delta University, WDU, Prof. Augustine Ovuoronye Ikelegbe, unveiled the Universityâs first set of Doctoral degree, PhD graduands, saying they have passed through a rigorous process of examination and seminar proposal defenses, expressing delight in their successes achieved.
Prof. Ikelegbe commended the Visitor of the University and former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, for his continued investment in the development of infrastructure and digital transformation of the University, and he also sought the support of stakeholders to make the WDU bigger and better, noting that the University is one of the cheapest in fees in Nigeria for people to afford. He charged the graduands to stand tall and excel in their next endeavors in life.
The former Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.), PhD, CFR, was honored with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Strategic Studies (Honoris Causa) of the Western Delta University, Oghara, and the former Social Democratic Party, SDP, Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, was also honored with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Political Science (Honoris Causa) of the Western Delta University, Oghara.
The Visitor and Founder of the University, and former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, appreciated General Dambazau for saving his life in 2008, noting that WDU has equipped graduands for something better, stressing that he is proud and confident of the impact the graduands will make.
Chief Ibori charged the graduands to remember that education is for development and that at Western Delta University, WDU, adding value and transforming life for excellence and integrity is the focus.
Convocation guest lecturer, Prof. Kyari Mohammed, analyzed the insecurity bedeviling Nigeria across the six geopolitical zones, describing it as alarming, especially that of the Northern parts of the country, pointing out that over one hundred thousand persons have been killed and 2.5 million people displaced by Boko Haram since it began attacks on the Nigerian State years ago.
Prof. Mohammed identified the causes of insecurity in Nigeria to include politics, poverty, injustice, bad governance, and lack of political will to implement effective policies.
Prof. Mohammed, who is also the former Vice Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, proffered solutions to insecurity in Nigeria, including good governance. He also called for security sector reform in order to get it right, just as he urged federal government security forces to fight bandits more before engaging them in any dialogue in order to weaken their fighting strength.
The completed Central Laboratory block, donated by Dr. Igho Oghenegaren Foundation, and staff quarters were commissioned, and the proposed Macaulay and Margaret Omugbe Block for the College of Postgraduate Studies groundbreaking ceremony were also performed by the donor, Prince Adebayo Adewale.
The Chancellor of Western Delta University and former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Donald Duke, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pro Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Eghosa Osaghae, as well as other notable dignitaries such as former Minister of Youths and Sports Solomon Lalong, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, A.K. Osawota, the Ovie of Orogun Kingdom, Chief Judith Enamuotor, and others, congratulated the graduates and the University for their steadfastness in positively impacting lives.
